Prague, 26 September 2003 (RFE/RL) -- The government of Czech Prime Minister Vladimir Spidla survived a vote of no confidence in parliament today. The opposition needed 101 votes to topple Spidla's left-of-center government, but came up short, with 98 votes. One hundred deputies voted to support Spidla's government and one deputy abstained.

Spidla's political survival clears the way for parliament to turn its attention back to a sweeping economic-reform package. The package of spending cuts and tax changes now being considered is meant to address a record budget deficit.